Guy's relief was obvious. "Are you ill? Is anything the matter?" he asked, as he closed the door behind the Captain, and followed him into his sitting-room.
Marven was at a loss for words. Hora's letter was in his hand. He held it out to Guy, and said huskily, "Read this."
"But——" interrupted Guy.
"No, read this," repeated Marven.
Guy took the letter. He recognised the handwriting, and he wondered. His wonder gave place to amazement as he read. Amazement was succeeded by horror, and, when he had finished reading, the paper dropped from his hands, and he turned his face away from the man who had brought it, in a vain endeavour to conceal his emotion. He was hardly aware that a hand was laid on his arm, until a voice, tremulous with emotion, said, "Guy, my son."
He disdained concealment then. He wheeled round and clutched blindly at the two hands outstretched to meet his own.
"Father, forgive! forgive!" he muttered brokenly.
CHAPTER XXVII
DUTY CALLS
All too swiftly speeded the minutes which were at Captain Marven's disposal. There was so much to be explained, so much to be learned, and barely an hour to explain everything. Yet, short as the time, it was broken in upon by the arrival of another visitor. For the second time that day Mr. Hildebrand Flurscheim found himself thrusting his company upon persons who had little desire for it. When he knocked at the door of Guy's chambers Guy at first ignored the summons. But the knocking persisted. He was forced to open the door, if only to prevent his neighbours being disturbed, and, when once the door was open, Flurscheim refused to be excluded.
"I must see you privately at once," declared the connoisseur. "My business is of the utmost importance."